Editorial: Don’t berate teachers, seek their help

By Wilmington StarNews/Halifax Media Services

Published: Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 09:01 PM.

At many schools, the event consisted mainly of wardrobe statements, as teachers and administrators wore red in a show of solidarity. A few schools had short gatherings before school, so as not to take away from instructional time. Some participants took the opportunity to state why they went into teaching. Most considered it an upbeat and positive event.

For his part, Gov. Pat McCrory was more conciliatory, noting that teachers have some legitimate concerns and complaints. (However, he did sign the legislation that prompted one recent walk-in.) He also announced formation of a teacher advisory council, with four members from the
Cape
Fear
region, which was to meet Tuesday.

If McCrory and lawmakers actually listen, they may hear some very good suggestions. Teachers are on the front lines every day, dealing with problems that many politicians can't even begin to imagine. The good ones – and they represent more than 25 percent of the workforce – know where problems exist, and they often have some creative answers for addressing them.

Imagine! An attempt to enlist teachers in the ongoing effort to improve public education in
North Carolina
. It boggles the mind.

North Carolina doesn't have a teachers union, and Phil Berger knows it. The word "union" implies that teachers have the right to collective bargaining and the right to strike for better working conditions – neither is permitted under state law. Yet the Senate president pro tem insisted on deriding Monday's event in support of public education as union activity.

Berger, R-Rockingham, and his like-minded political colleagues apparently believe that the only "right" teachers have is the right to sit quietly and take it when the Honorables and the governor attempt to "improve" public education by adopting policies that punish and demoralize the professionals who are in the best position to put those improvements into practice.

Berger went after the N.C. Association of Educators, which he believes was behind the push for a "walk-in" staged at many schools across the state, including in the CapeFear region. There were numerous variations on the theme, from an organized gathering around the flagpole to a simple show of support by dressing in red.

He and like-minded lawmakers chose to assail the event as "bully tactics." But it is teachers who have felt bullied of late, what with a new law that takes away tenure by 2018, arbitrarily decides that only 25 percent of teachers deserve a $500 raise – and only then if they give up tenure early – and removes the financial incentive for teachers to pursue advanced degrees.

New HanoverCounty school board member Tammy Covil expressed concern that the event could be interpreted as political. Most teachers didn't see it that way. Regardless of whether it could be construed as political in some way, it would be counterproductive to attempt to punish teachers who participated.

This was a show of frustration, but also a tangible way to show how many people are working with our children every day – despite the challenges.

The reality in most places was different from what Berger and his allies described. While a social media campaign for a walkout was initially planned, it turned into a “walk-in” – teachers, other school employees, parents, volunteers and even some students across the state staged assorted variations on the theme.

At many schools, the event consisted mainly of wardrobe statements, as teachers and administrators wore red in a show of solidarity. A few schools had short gatherings before school, so as not to take away from instructional time. Some participants took the opportunity to state why they went into teaching. Most considered it an upbeat and positive event.

For his part, Gov. Pat McCrory was more conciliatory, noting that teachers have some legitimate concerns and complaints. (However, he did sign the legislation that prompted one recent walk-in.) He also announced formation of a teacher advisory council, with four members from the CapeFear region, which was to meet Tuesday.

If McCrory and lawmakers actually listen, they may hear some very good suggestions. Teachers are on the front lines every day, dealing with problems that many politicians can't even begin to imagine. The good ones – and they represent more than 25 percent of the workforce – know where problems exist, and they often have some creative answers for addressing them.

Imagine! An attempt to enlist teachers in the ongoing effort to improve public education in North Carolina. It boggles the mind.